On the relation between the concepts “clade” and “species”
If the concept “clade” is consistent, ie, can be defined unambiguously, then the concept “species” is inconsistent, ie, can’t be defined unambiguously, because then a single species equals several species, and vice versa, because then a single clade is contradictory between single and several species. Both thus can’t be consistent, ie, defined unambiguously, at the same time, because a single species can’t equal several species.
The reason for this impossibility is that the concepts “clade” and “species” are orthogonal, ie, diametrically opposed, “clade” being a process and “species” being a pattern. ”Clade” can also be comprehended as a pattern, but then “species” has to be comprehended as a process, because both can’t be consistently comprehended as either a process or a pattern at the same time, since they can’t be consistent, ie, defined unambiguously, at the same time.
The reason for the orthogonality between them, in turn, is that “pattern” and “process” represent infinite class and finite class, respectively. They are thus extended along each of the two axes along which classes are extended: space and time, respectively.
The fundamental reason that not both ”clade” and “species” can be consistent, ie, defined unambiguously, at the same time, is thus that it would require confusion of the two axes along which classes are extended: space and time, ie, that the two concepts are not concepts, which is a paradoxical contradiction.
Another contribution to understanding of conceptualization http://menvall.wordpress.com/
2012-11-08 23:12:30
Source: http://menvall.wordpress.com/2012/11/08/on-the-relation-between-the-concepts-clade-and-species/
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